Rodney Bush News

Zachary Noah Piser (Wicked), Elena Wang (Allegiance) and Karl Josef Co (Pacific Overtures) will lead the first full industry presentations of TIANANMEN, a new musical directed by Stafford Arima (Allegiance, Altarboyz) and written by Scott Elmegreen and Drew Fornarola (off-Broadway's STRAIGHT) with musical direction by Rodney Bush. The readings will be held on April 27th and 28th in midtown.

One generally associates megaphones as the staple of high school gym teachers, used to amplify their punitive requests of portly students to run faster. Naturally, Carmen Cusack, the once-unsung supernova who made her craterous impact on Broadway in last season's BRIGHT STAR, subverted preconceived notions. Slowly making her way to the stage, Cusack began her show crooning into the piece of machinery. If the very first notes of your concert will be heard projected via megaphone, well, you'd be wise to make certain you sound exceptional. That, of course, is a non-issue for Cusack. Following a sold-out engagement at Feinstein's/54 Below last summer, the Tony (and now Grammy) nominee returned to the venue for another four-show run on March 8, and was in her usual sublime voice.

On Monday, February 6, the Broadway at Birdland concert series welcomed Jay Armstrong Johnson, who recently starred in the titular role in Candide in the New York City Opera production. His concert was musical directed by Rodney Bush, and his special guests were Elizabeth Stanley, Alysha Umphress, Jessica Tyler Wright, Meghan Picerno and Chip Zien. Scroll down for photos from the concert!

The Broadway at Birdland concert series welcomed Jay Armstrong Johnson, who recently starred in the titular role in Candide in the New York City Opera production, in concert at the historic room last night, February 6. BroadwayWorld has photos from the show below!

Today, February 1, the studio recording of Ryan Scott Oliver and Nessie Nankivell's OTHERBODY, A BRIEF MUSICAL ALLEGORY is available on all streaming platforms. The politically resonant short musical stars Nicholas Christopher.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for February 6-12, featuring BOSSABRASIL with Marcos Valle with Special Guest Celso Fonseca, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Bennie Benack III, and more. Scroll down for details!

Following the successful, sold-out run of Leonard Bernstein's Candide, New York City Opera continues its 2016 - 2017 Concert Series with Oh, Happy Us, a romantic evening of song that reunites Candide stars Jay Armstrong Johnson (Candide), Meghan Picerno (Cunegonde), and Jessica Tyler Wright (Paquette). Legendary choreographer of stage and film, Patricia Birch directs this concert of selections from classic and contemporary musical theater that explores continuity in love and life. This one-night-only performance will take place on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2017, at 7:00 p.m., at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Appel Room.

Actor Therapy will present Mathieu Whitman at Don't Tell Mama, December 7th, 2016.  The 9:30 PM concert is produced by Actor Therapy co-founders Lindsay Mendez and Ryan Scott Oliver, and will feature resident music director Rodney Bush on piano.

On November 21, acclaimed composer-lyricist Ryan Scott Oliver will return to Los Angeles with a concert at Rockwood in Hollywood.  Show time is at 8:00pm.  

KIDS WHO CARE is proud to announce a one-night only performance of alumni Jay Armstrong Johnson's personal, eclectic solo concert on Friday, October 21, 2016 at 7:30 PM. Last seen in New York at Feinstein's/54 Below, this intimate event will arrive at the home of Kids Who Care in the W.E. Scott Theatre (1300 Gendy, Fort Worth, TX 76107). Known for his thrilling vocal prowess, Jay has wowed Broadway audiences in On The Town, Hands on a Hardbody, Hair, and Catch Me If You Can. Johnson starred opposite Emma Thompson in the New York Philharmonic's Sweeney Todd and his performance in Encores' The Most Happy Fella was hailed by The New York Times as "a standout." Television audiences know him as Dr. Will Olsen from last season in the hit ABC drama Quantico.

Tonight, Hamilton's Nicholas Christopher will play Peter in a complete concert presentation of Darling, Ryan Scott Oliver's dark deconstruction of Peter Pan.

On September 19, Hamilton's Nicholas Christopher will play Peter in a complete concert presentation of Darling, Ryan Scott Oliver's dark deconstruction of Peter Pan.

Broadway star and Drama Desk nominated actress Lindsay Mendez will join musical forces with multi-award-winning composer Ryan Scott Oliver as the MUSE AND THE MUSIC, an evening of Oliver's songs performed by them both at SubCulture.

Get ready to rejoice! SISTER ACT, the gloriously funny five-time Tony-nominated musical, is taking the stage at Bill Hanney's award winning Theatre By The Sea (TBTS). SISTER ACT will begin Wednesday, August 17, and plays thru Sunday, September 4, 2016. Press night is scheduled for Friday, August 19 at 8p.m.

Playhouse Creatures will commence its 6th Concert Performance of the original rock opera, Lady Monday, at the TACT Studios on 900 Broadway at 19th Street. Full event details, below.

Next week, Feinstein's/54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestras begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: Something Really Rotten: Cut Songs From the Show with the Original Cast; Jay Armstrong Johnson at 54 Below; The Skivvies; The Tyler Mount Vlog Live! with Matt Doyle, Lesli Margherita & Kara Lindsay; and Broadway Acts for Women, with Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Lena Hall, and more. 

Next week, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com/Feinsteins or call (646) 476-3551.

Jay Armstrong Johnson has wowed Broadway audiences inOn The Town (Chip), Hands on a Hardbody (Greg), Hair (Claude), and Catch Me If You Can. The New York Timescalled his performance as Anthony Hope in the New York Philharmonic's Sweeney Todd 'affecting and ardent,' and his performance as Herman in Encores' Most Happy Fella 'a standout.'

FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Jay Armstrong Johnson, currently starring on ABC's smash-hit drama 'Quantico' and recent star of Broadway's acclaimed 2014 revival of On The Town, will make his Feinstein's / 54 Below (254 West 54th Street) solo debut on April 27, 29 and 30. Singing everything from Sondheim to Dixie Chicks, Johnson will be joined all three nights by a full eight-piece all star-band and special guests Billy Lewis Jr. ('Glee') and Lindsay Mendez (Wicked). On April 30th only, Todrick Hall (MTV's 'Todrick') will be guest-starring alongside Lewis Jr. and Mendez. Tickets are on sale now at www.54Below.com.